Quick Clamp design change?

[Samurai Dave]

The Quick Clamps have a smart design and function well.  However, a recent purchase revealed a new "feature" to the metal face, which I'm assuming is a design change by Festool.  The one on the right has an extra ridge in the center, while the other is completely flat.

I contacted Festool last week.  The rep said it was the first he had heard of it, and will check into it.  (Haven't heard back yet.)

Has anyone else noticed this on recent purchases of their clamps?

 

[Michael Kellough]

I don't want that on my clamps.

 

[ohkipp]

I have that on mine but I thought it was for a better fit when using it in the MFT rails. Seems to work fine.

 

[johnsonri]

My new clamps, approx 6 months old, have that ridge in the center. I have two older ones, more than 2 years old, that don't have the ridge.

Though, I never noticed until you brought it up here. I don't recall ever putting an indentation into any clamped work piece. I will look out for it now though.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I wonder if the ridges are meant to prevent the crushing of the foam strips under the guide rail?

 

[woodtradesman]

Could it be so that the claps grip better when clamping the guide rails?

 

[Les]

What about the side rails on the MFT/3? Maybe a design change was made so they would fit the different MFT rails.

 

[John Langevin]

I don't know about a design change guys, I have had my pair of clamps for four years and they have the ridge in the center of the forged jaw.

 

[johnsonri]

I don't know about a design change guys, I have had my pair of clamps for four years and they have the ridge in the center of the forged jaw.

Maybe its the same concept as my two MFT 1080's. The older one has slightly smaller holes than the older one. Same with my MFT 800's. Not a design change, but a change nonetheless.

 

[Mirboo]

I bought a couple of the FS-HZ 160 lever clamps from Rockler in Cambridge MA a couple of weeks ago and they have the ridges. About a year ago I also bought a couple of the FSZ 120 screw clamps from my local dealer here in Sydney and they have the ridges as well.